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Lakers can trade Russell Westbrook to Jazz in this wild 4-team trade

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Why the other teams could say yes:

Brooklyn Nets: 

The Brooklyn Nets had to flip James Harden for Ben Simmons, who did not end up returning to the team in the NBA Playoffs. Getting swept by the Boston Celtics was extremely disappointing and the Nets are going to have to change something.

Brooklyn would get one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA that they could revitalize in Rudy Gobert for the price of Simmons, Joe Harris and a pick that is not even there. They do lose a depth piece in Harris, but add two death pieces in Royce O’Neale and Derrick Rose.

The Nets could get a lot more out of Gobert than the Jazz are and it would be better for the team to pivot off of Simmons for Gobert.

New York Knicks: 

The New York Knicks are doing most of the leg work in terms of draft capital and that is because they are getting the best player in this deal, Donovan Mitchell. New York is desperate for a star and as we have seen, the price of stars (especially one that is young like Mitchell) is going to be high.

Without the Knicks, this trade does not happen. Could the Knicks and Jazz do a trade just between them two? Sure. But adding the Lakers and Knicks into this deal allows the Jazz to dump more salary.

Utah Jazz:

If the Jazz are intent on blowing it up this is the way to do it. In this trade alone, the Jazz save over $20 million next season and get one of the biggest returns in NBA history in terms of draft capital and young talent. The team can buy out Westbrook and tank next season, saving plenty of money after the 2022-23 season as well.

Next. Westbrook and the 10 worst trades in franchise history. dark

This takes the Jazz committing to the rebuild. After this trade, Utah could trade other role players such as Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic for even more assets, committing to the future instead of committing to being 46-36 and losing in the first round year after year.

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